Fort Bragg soldiers start returning after COVID-19 deployment

Soldiers with the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command have returned to Fort Bragg after deploying in response to the Department of Defense fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The soldiers returned Friday, officials said.

About 250 soldiers with the unit received orders March 26 to help with planning, communication, transportation and logistics support related to virus relief while under the leadership of U.S. Army North.

The unit spread across the Northeast coast in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and provided sustainment to more than 3,200 joint military service members, officials said.

Sustainment operations took place in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

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“I am proud of the hard work and professionalism of our soldiers,” said Brig. Gen. James M. Smith, commanding general of the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command. “As part of a ‘whole-of-government’ response, their coordination, synchronization and execution of efforts were phenomenal.They did exactly what we came to do, and that was to bring professional and expeditionary logistical support to the fight.”

For the past eight weeks, the soldiers helped receive, process and move equipment and joint military service members to critical areas.

They were responsible for meals, transportation and handling equipment and supplies in support of medical professionals.

Officials said as they received fewer requests for support, the unit also was responsible for planning and redeploying service members and equipment back to their home installations.